The department will look at reviewing this option and bring back those options to the Member.

Mahsi. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

I'd like to thank the Minister for making that commitment. I ask only when he thinks he will be able to deliver this information to us.

Early childhood development is a priority of this government. It became a priority of the 17th Legislative Assembly. Anything that we can do to ensure that our staff and our children have the opportunity to develop in the best way they can. We are willing to work in those areas. I can't commit to a timeframe at this time.

Mahsi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, you wouldn't know that it's anti-bullying day today the way that we're picking on the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, but he's being a trooper and we thank him. Can the Minister provide the House with some information on how the Department of Education, Culture, and Employment works with DECs and DEAs to make sure that schools are safe environments for students, teachers, and visitors to the schools.

Mahsi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't mind the picking-on today. In terms of DEAs, DECs, as I mentioned, we have developed a handbook. We are providing orientation workshops to newly elected members. Other things we are doing are these bullying prevention and intervention strategies and resources that were developed by national experts that are available, and also ensuring that when we develop this territorial School Code of Conduct, as well as the Safe and Caring Schools Regulations that all visitors have to abide by those rules. The department will continue to support ongoing professional development and staff training as schools develop their Safe and Caring Schools Regulations.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for his answer. We know that awareness is one of the key tools to combating bullying. Can the Minister tell the Assembly what kinds of public promotion the department has taken to demonstrate that bullying is not okay?

Earlier today in the speech that I gave in the Great Hall, we do a contest, a Stand Up and Stop Bullying campaign where we recognize students who have developed some visuals. We also have visuals in the school, in the public. We have a website that has, I believe, over 3,000 likes on it, as well as a Facebook page. The website is

stopbullyingNWT.ca

. We are taking a multi-pronged approach at this. Schools are also open to do their own awareness campaign to stop bullying. In the schools that I have been in, I have seen the posters in the hallways and in the classrooms as well.

One final question, then I'll stop picking on the Minister. We know that even if there are services available, some victims may not know how to reach out and get help. Can the Minister advise us what supports are available to help students who are being bullied and feel isolated?

There are many ways. As I mentioned to a Member earlier, we have the Skills for Healthy Relationships program, grades 7 to 12; the WITS program, kindergarten to grade 6; and the Positive Behaviour Support, kindergarten to grade 12. We also encourage students to talk to their parents, talk to their teachers, their peers, or a trusting adult. We are also working with other organizations where they are implementing some of their own anti-bullying programs. I believe through the Red Cross, we're looking and exploring ways at using their RespectED program. We are looking at that right now, to see how we can implement those in some of the schools. Anything that we can to mitigate the effects of bullying, the devastating effects it, not only has on our students, but also our teachers.

Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

[English translation not provided] Mr. Speaker, transparency was a key issue during the election for voters, and I think every Member of this House has made a clear commitment to engaging in government transparency and making that a centrepiece of this 18th Assembly moving forward. I have questions for the Minister of transparency on the Open Government Policy. Could the Minister provide an update as to how the progress is going in developing that policy?

Mahsi. Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency.

Certainly, this is a new department and I'm a new Minister in it; however, I am consulting with my colleagues and we are looking at options for a more open and transparent government. In fact, the very discussions that we've had over the last week or two involving the mandate and other matters are an example of how we are moving forward with more open and transparent government. Once I receive my mandate letter from the premier, I'll be able to give more detail about how we will be proceeding in this area.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate we're still in the early days of this government and time needs to be taken to put things together. Does the Minister have a sense of what kind of resources or support to put together this policy and other initiatives as they relate to government transparency?

Of course, I'm counting on a very important resource, which is the input of all the Members in this House. Financially, we do not have a great deal of resources, but I am looking to hearing from all of you, assisting me in developing a more transparent and open government.

Thank you to the Minister for making a commitment to involve this side of the House in a very transparent and collaborative fashion. Will he make the same commitment to members of the public?

Yes, of course, we will make a commitment. We are looking very much for the involvement in the public in this new area. This government has embarked on this program, which, I think is fairly unique in government in Canada, so we are looking not only for the Members' input, but also input from the general public to guide us.

Mahsi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Final question for the Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency. Can the Minister advise on a potential timeline? And of course, not within a day margin, but perhaps within two years. Could he commit to completing a policy within two years, and fully implementing that policy?

This is a new area and, of course, we are seeking input of the public and also all the Members of this House, but in view of its newness, its complexity, I don't think we can commit to a definite date.

Mahsi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.